I Married A Dragon (Prime Mating Agency)(34)

“Behold the Kairns of Alja,” Cedros telepathically spoke to me. “We use these rings for our national sport, Vayarka. We activate hovering platforms nearby for the audience to watch. But many people also just settle at the edge of the cliff.”

He flew down closer to the ground so that I could have a better look at the exotic flora and fauna. While the creatures bore some vague similarities with some of Earth’s wildlife, there was no question we were no longer in Kansas.

“And this is Alja’s Fair Grounds,” Cedros said as we flew over what clearly resembled an amusement park a short distance from the river. “There are foods, games, rides, musical and visual entertainments—what I believe humans call concerts and shows. It is a very popular place where most big events are held. Trinit loves coming here.”

I could totally see Cedros and I going on a double-date with Rovain and Trinit at the fair. The image of Cedros winning a giant teddy bear for me at one of the carnival games made me chuckle. I couldn’t recall the last time I’d gone out on that kind of date with anyone. I’d promised Cedros I’d get him to experience all those social things he never did before, but now I feared getting caught in my own game.

“There are many sports games and competitions held in the Mogodan river and waterfall. The dumbest, yet most popular one, is to fly up the waterfall through the rushing water. It always results in many a torn wing or broken bone,” Cedros continued, sounding unimpressed.

To my shame, I immediately added it to my ‘must-see’ list. I was a sucker for extreme sports—watching, not participating. There was something fascinating about observing people doing completely stupid things just because… It was especially great when they somehow pulled it off unscathed. Yeah, I had a healthy dose of morbid curiosity in me.

Cedros flew up to the plateau on top of the cliff and landed. Maybe fifty meters from the open area by the edge, a series of orchards and berry bushes spread almost as far as the eye could see. The sweet scent of various ripe fruits filled the air.

After putting me down on my feet, he switched back to his normal form.

“Every single fruit you see here is edible,” he said, pointing at the orchards. “Most adults will mix their juice to their fermented drinks or with their raw meat for added flavor. But younglings eat them as dessert or treats.”

“They certainly smell good,” I said, my mouth watering.

“Good! I’m going to make you sample a few. When there are no sporting events happening, people will often come here simply to relax or have family picnics. And we’re about to have ours. Hang on.”

His shadow horns glimmered with a purplish inner glow and immense power appeared to emanate from his chest seconds before a large portal opened next to us.

“Wait here. I’ll be right back.”

He hopped inside the portal as soon as he spoke those words, not waiting for my response. Burning with curiosity, I eagerly awaited his return, which only took seconds. Cedros came back out carrying a large container that appeared to have two sections, one of them temperature-controlled. He dispelled the portal while putting the container on the grass.

Cedros opened the left side of the crate, removing a large, checkered, folded fabric.

“Normally, our picnic mats are a solid color, usually matching the color of the grass, sand, or rocks where we settle down. But I saw humans use red and white or blue and white checkered mats. Therefore, I had a blue one made for us, so you would feel more at home,” Cedros explained while laying it out on the ground.

“Aww, that’s so incredibly sweet of you,” I said, deeply touched. “You don’t have to go out of your way like this for me.”

“Of course, I do. I love taking care of you. I’ve waited my whole life for this pleasure. You will not deny me.”

The mulish way in which he said it made me chuckle. “If you insist!”

“I do!” he said with a firm nod.

He pulled out a small dark-blue square that seemed made of foam. As soon as he placed it on the mat, it started unfolding and inflating into an impressive cushion. It could easily serve as either a seat or a large pillow.

“Sit, my Ejaya,” he said, indicating the cushion.

I complied with a thank you, observing with great interest while he retrieved a series of small bowls from the same section of the container, laying them out on the mat in front of me.

“I will return shortly,” he then said, rising to his feet.

With a powerful flap of his wings, he headed to the orchard, where he grabbed a series of fruits before returning to me. With impressive dexterity, he peeled and sliced some of them up with his claws, separating them neatly in the various bowls. Some he squeezed, a sweet-scented thick goop pouring out of the fruit into the small container.

“Now, you get to sample,” he said with a toothy grin.

From the refrigerated section of the container, he took out a bunch of small vials filled with various liquids, some clear, some thick, others akin to yogurt or cream. He also had crispy breads and meats. For the next half-hour, he made me taste a mix of everything, pairing certain meats with certain fruits, diluting some of the goopy fruits into a vial, which I swallowed in one or two gulps. While the fruits with the crispy breads felt like eating various jams on toast, the little drinks were the hero for me. Some of them felt like fruity liquor shots, others like smoothies or yogurts. Although I wasn’t big on alcohol, I could totally see myself getting hooked on some of those shots.